Murphy Oil Corporation (MUR)

In Q3 2025, Murphy Oil reported adjusted earnings of $0.41 per share, beating estimates, but reported a net loss due to a non-cash impairment. The company announced successful results from its Hai Su Vang-2X appraisal well offshore Vietnam in January 2026, leading to a positive impact on the stock. The King Creole oil discovery in the Gulf of Mexico in January 2026 also increased the stock price. A $500 million offering of senior notes due 2034 to refinance existing debt in January 2026 led to a decline in share price.

Demand for crude oil is seasonal, peaking in the summer due to increased travel and in December-January for heating oil. Natural gas demand peaks during extreme temperatures, surging in winter for heating and in summer for cooling. Natural gas liquids demand is influenced by similar seasonal factors and the demand for their end-use products.

Murphy Oil Corporation is an independent oil and gas exploration and production company headquartered in Houston, Texas, operating within the Energy Minerals sector. Its core business involves the exploration for and production of crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids, balancing onshore shale development with offshore projects. Eric M. Hambly is the President and Chief Executive Officer.

Murphy Oil's operations are diversified across several key regions, including the deepwater Gulf of Mexico and the Eagle Ford Shale in the United States. Canadian operations include heavy crude oil projects in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin and offshore Newfoundland. Internationally, Murphy Oil has activities and undeveloped reserves in Vietnam, Australia, Brazil, Brunei, Mexico, and Côte d'Ivoire.

Murphy Oil Corporation maintains a strong brand reputation, emphasizing operational excellence, safety, and environmental stewardship. The company reported a 37% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions intensity, a 51% reduction in methane intensity, and a 66% reduction in flaring intensity from 2019 to 2023. It has been recognized as a "Best Place for Working Parents®" for three consecutive years and was named in US News and World Report's "Best Companies to Work For in Energy" in 2024-2025.

Institutional investors heavily dominate Murphy Oil Corporation's ownership, holding approximately 78% to 92% of the company's stock. Major institutional owners include BlackRock, Inc., Vanguard Group Inc, Dimensional Fund Advisors Lp, State Street Corp, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc, Hotchkis & Wiley Capital Management Llc, and Arrowstreet Capital, Limited Partnership. Robert Madison Murphy is a significant individual shareholder, owning 4.59% of the company's shares.